tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35593011726918701432018-03-19T22:16:54.593-04:00Zone BaseAdventures in Transformers and other strangeness. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.comBlogger617125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-84580488518574025932018-03-19T22:15:00.000-04:002018-03-19T22:16:54.635-04:00Uprising this weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRZnY7njGjc/WrBrE9uPE0I/AAAAAAAADhY/AukcKyLj38AShDeTE6cJzPrX2l3ZsAI6ACLcBGAs/s1600/pacific-rim-uprising-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRZnY7njGjc/WrBrE9uPE0I/AAAAAAAADhY/AukcKyLj38AShDeTE6cJzPrX2l3ZsAI6ACLcBGAs/s640/pacific-rim-uprising-2.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><br />I'm so very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very excited for Pacific Rim Uprising this weekend.<br /><br />Strangely my local theaters are a bit limited on showtimes for it, which is very perplexing. This was the same issue I had watching the new It this past fall. I don't understand why either, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I had wondered if the big success of Black Panther had caused my theaters to have more showings of it creating a shortage of showtimes for other movies, but no, it's slowing down in showtimes, so I can't figure out what exactly is causing this. It's a Legendary Pictures movie, which Kong Skull Island was and it had plenty of showtimes at my local theaters. It's a Universal release, so one would think it would be really wide spread. Strange, really strange.<br /><br />Either way, with my birthday less than two weeks away, this will be the ideal way to begin ringing it in. Come to think of it, it's pretty similar to last year with March kicking off with the Switch release, then Toylanta, followed by Kong Skull Island and the Power Rangers movie before my birthday. This year it's been Toylanta, Pacific Rim 2, Rampage (I'm waiting for video on it though, unless I decide last minute to go see it), before my birthday. It's like, somebody decided to make March big ass monster movie month.<br /><br />Sounds like a good idea.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-20066275925591239922018-03-19T15:35:00.000-04:002018-03-19T15:39:58.057-04:00KB Toys, rise from your grave <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsJ1AMfNsDw/WrAFWqoZTII/AAAAAAAADhI/eXyPNpq9pU4tt0EGomqQ5Mwbxd_iR1WdACLcBGAs/s1600/ext.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="341" height="172" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsJ1AMfNsDw/WrAFWqoZTII/AAAAAAAADhI/eXyPNpq9pU4tt0EGomqQ5Mwbxd_iR1WdACLcBGAs/s400/ext.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's another know it all putting their two cents in</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In a feel good moment in a time where most are a little bummed&nbsp; that Toys R Us is going out of business, news hit yesterday that plans to resurrect the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kb-toys-coming-back-wow-what-response-from-toy-industry-ellia-kassoff/" target="_blank">Kay Bee</a> brand name are underway. As usual on the internet this news was met with great applause and the usual amount of predictable naysaying (good thing this ain't a drinking game or I'd have died of alcohol poisoning over a decade ago). While it does feel good to see an old well loved name return, and the news brings such good karma points as taking resumes from Toys R Us employees, one does have to look at the facts when considering the possibilities of this venture being successful.<br /><br />Point blank, Toys R Us is closing business because of high prices. No matter how much know it alls like to point out internet-based shopping, the bottom line of the size of the crowds at your local Walmart on a Saturday or Christmas season obviously points to retail still being well and good. In fact as internet based shopping is becoming more and more a force in how we buy things, most successful retail stores have integrated internet shopping into their business model with the success depending on how the chains utilize their strategies.<br /><br />Going back to Walmart, while success and ultimate satisfaction will depend on each stores staff, they've been doing some good work utilizing internet based shopping with their retail experience. I'm a big fan of their grocery ordering system. Either on their site or app, my wife and I complile a shopping list of what we plan to buy each week. When we're done, we reserve a time for pickup when we finalize our purchase. Any item we select that is ok for a substitution is usually substituted for a greater priced or larger portion version of what we've picked and any item we won't take a substitute for is not charged to us. We are notified of these details from an email that we get around an hour before our pick up time. With the apps use of location services, the employees know when we pull up usually and meet us shortly after depending on the amount of people waiting in the designated area. Each purchase includes a online survey form for that purchase that we do every week and literally see the difference by the next week. They have a similar service for online store pick up with a lounge area equipped with lockers that your purchase is waiting for you in (they're locked and only you have access to unlock yours).<br /><br />Assuming this new Kay Bee will do as they say and work better than prior toy stores such as Toys R Us or even the original incarnation of Kay Bee, one can assume web site/physical location integration will be utilized. Another hope will be for better pricing. Kay Bee formerly specialized in close out toys at low prices with newer toys costing more than a Walmart (sound familiar). As the retail landscape has changed since Kay Bee shut down, I can only imagine what the new version would be. Indoor shopping malls are still a thing, but in my area, have really reduced since the 90's. Big box style open air shopping centers cover the landscape here with many smaller stores in the smaller shops in between Target and Petsmart.<br /><br />I can easily see a toy store the size of an Old Navy or a Five Below in one of these shopping centers doing well. I can imagine a similar sized store with a healthy mix of normal retail toys and&nbsp; higher priced boutique collector items with those neato low cost items like novetly slimes in the mix doing well even outside the Christmas season. Working in a well executed web site integration and you might just well have a hit.<br /><br />Sure people order like crazy from Amazon, but even Amazon is working on physical locations. If you look at all the reports of delivery items being stolen off porches last Christmas (I even got a po box in retaliation), you can see an example of why a person would be interested in a good store pick up experience. Or no matter how much a rando will tell you that Amazon is how they buy anything, not much longer you'll hear about how they spent all Saturday shopping in a shopping center.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-84278960430432425282018-03-17T01:33:00.000-04:002018-03-17T01:33:42.082-04:00Pretender Starscream<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saDOrpol7wM/WqyoE9wOxbI/AAAAAAAADg4/mk9A0SLrmlYCudAR69sNZ2ujC19EaPu5ACLcBGAs/s1600/starscream_%2528pretender%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saDOrpol7wM/WqyoE9wOxbI/AAAAAAAADg4/mk9A0SLrmlYCudAR69sNZ2ujC19EaPu5ACLcBGAs/s400/starscream_%2528pretender%2529.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies!</td></tr></tbody></table>A cheating, traitorous villan. Ruthless and cold-blooded. Always plotting another evil attack against the heroic Autobots. Determined to rule the universe with a fist of iron. Outer shell armed with methylial-powered jet pack and thermal carbine that can either freeze or melt metal on impact. Inner robot armed with null ray rifle that shorts out electrical impulses. Maximum speed: Mach 3. Also equipped with suborbital capabilities. Arrogance is Starscream's only weakness. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-53161203157516458642018-03-16T19:55:00.003-04:002018-03-17T01:35:10.193-04:00PoliceKeeper Buildbase commercial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sV4uL2EbT6w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sV4uL2EbT6w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Every so often there's just a Microman commercial that's just crazy. Crazy awesome and crazy crazy. The Buildbase is amazing, and tons of fun. I particularly like the cannon for shooting Micromen. I do wonder though what the purpose of that is. I mean sure, it's awesome, but... are they outright just shooting Micromen to the scene of the action? They have all sorts of cars, jets, robots, you name it. But there's cause for just shooting a Microman out of a cannon for action. Maybe some Micromen don't have the proper permits and the best solution is just shoot them where their needed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Man, workplace accidents in a Microman base have to be crazy.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-13355419241050403272018-03-15T22:19:00.000-04:002018-03-15T22:19:34.254-04:00Diamond Cyclone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIiv-XnssOU/WqspEo5yOuI/AAAAAAAADgY/77VAo-bGEi81IP_3bFZyS3h6iIQRqIxWACLcBGAs/s1600/15gdzk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIiv-XnssOU/WqspEo5yOuI/AAAAAAAADgY/77VAo-bGEi81IP_3bFZyS3h6iIQRqIxWACLcBGAs/s400/15gdzk1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I just wanted to point out just how nice this image is. I'm not sure, but I think it's a scanned sticker sheet. Just found the image without any context to where it's from originally.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-83160781292273908412018-03-15T22:16:00.000-04:002018-03-15T22:16:36.328-04:00Galaxy Defender<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26jGjNY6drY/WqsnbBRaL5I/AAAAAAAADgQ/7hIWPdA-lxwiZEvjcg7RMaHM1rVgpgaYACLcBGAs/s1600/14449379_1590547094584701_2166405753487753216_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26jGjNY6drY/WqsnbBRaL5I/AAAAAAAADgQ/7hIWPdA-lxwiZEvjcg7RMaHM1rVgpgaYACLcBGAs/s400/14449379_1590547094584701_2166405753487753216_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Sometimes I wonder, just how jarring it would be for a more casual Transformers fan to take in Diaclone uses of the mold. This awesome image, for example, has Construction Robo taking on a swarm of Waruder Insect Robo. In 2015, when BotCon did a number of Diaclone homages in that years exclusive set, I noticed a lot of scoffing from folks regarding some of the choices with no insight to whom these choices were. Then I remember the number of random colored Devastator knock offs available at most discount stores.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My point is, I wonder if you showed this picture to some folks, how many would think it was a bunch of bootlegs?</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-13475583780085485042018-03-15T01:19:00.000-04:002018-03-15T01:24:04.550-04:00Super Gridman Cyber Squad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3DNI6XvwLWE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3DNI6XvwLWE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Gridman/Super Human Samurai Syber Squad toys are great. Mostly Zenon though, not that the others aren't as good, just man Zenon is such a bad ass. Getting that pvc of him this past weekend at Toylanta reminded me of just how much I'd like to track down his DX figure. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-34279010410877775592018-03-14T22:01:00.000-04:002018-03-19T16:19:49.702-04:00It's TRU, it's damn TRU<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibS8QLn7HcQ/WqnFGgP1GOI/AAAAAAAADgA/_4vtQEzvxFooA167eHs8v1sSVKsM86ugQCLcBGAs/s1600/TRU-TF-Brand-Page-Banner-4_E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="760" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibS8QLn7HcQ/WqnFGgP1GOI/AAAAAAAADgA/_4vtQEzvxFooA167eHs8v1sSVKsM86ugQCLcBGAs/s400/TRU-TF-Brand-Page-Banner-4_E.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry Geoffrey </td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's been all over the toy collecting world for months now, and today has finally been announced. Toys R Us is closing down. I expected this to happen eventually as TRU was sold off years ago and the buzz of that company slowly killing it was all around. I think we've all seen the writing on the wall for some time now. Tons of online competition, stores like Walmart and Target beating them in prices and selection, general unhappiness with the stores in general, just odd after odd getting stacked.<br /><br />Myself, the last straw was the Fortress Maximus fiasco from summer 2016. Sure, they came through in the end, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I had slowly began not visiting as much as result, still not completely turned away, but burned enough to not fully re-embrace them. Before that I was still a faithful customer, but still smart enough to only take advantage of sales and rewards points. Their regular prices were getting absurd, and it was a big factor in shopping elsewhere.<br /><br />What's bad is the people who are losing their jobs to no fault of their own. Store employees and various distribution and district based jobs are just going away. I hate that for them. It's not their fault the situation happened or the various conditions occurred. They just wanted to support themselves and their families, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I've been laid off before due to the mistakes of companies poorly run and it really took a toll on me. That sucks and it's not fair. I feel sorry for the folks who are going to hurt due to no fault of their own and wish them all the luck in the world. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-53876825562200507682018-03-13T23:06:00.000-04:002018-03-13T23:06:25.786-04:00New Planes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yCyNQiyBBpY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yCyNQiyBBpY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle of appreciating Cyclonus and Scourge getting such a great commercial and REALLY loving the announcers voice. </div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-31936089772441624482018-03-13T20:11:00.000-04:002018-03-13T20:11:57.298-04:00Henshin Cyborg Shonen Cyborg commercial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GlxsOzcRNy4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GlxsOzcRNy4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />Coming back from Toylanta, which was formerly known as Joelanta (as it was originally a con for 12 inch Joe fans), conversations are still fresh in my mind. One gentleman had plenty of Henshin Cyborg figures and I enjoyed chatting with him about them. He was older than me and is from the pre-internet generation that relied on pen pals and the like to help him track down these great toys from another country. Sometimes I feel older than I am talking with younger fans about the early days of the internet and what it was like before the internet was really a thing. Back pages of magazines with various classified ads for fans and collectors, ordering catalogs and getting on fanzine lists. Then I talk to this guy, or hear stories of the guy who used to form grassroot letter writing campaigns to get things produced and I'm taken aback and amazed. Somehow those old pages in the back of toy and video game magazines don't seem so archaic. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-10571829380657107172018-03-13T16:27:00.001-04:002018-03-13T16:27:57.577-04:00SF X Fantasy Rayforce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vX3A8OFgMBo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vX3A8OFgMBo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />I regularly talk about how awesome Korean shows are and I freaking mean it. SF X Fantasy Rayforce wasn't fully made, but this music video promo shows just how awesome it would have been.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-63014399124294710112018-03-13T15:12:00.000-04:002018-03-13T15:17:52.739-04:00Set your DVR to beast mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ktFHQib3JvM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ktFHQib3JvM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*sigh*</div>There's a song called, 'you're going to miss this' about how the little things that may annoy you later turned out to be the good things you miss later in life. And man it's true, even though I was broke and sick of it at the time. Tired of juggling school, work, and social woes,&nbsp; I miss watching Beast Wars on tv. It came on in the afternoon here, and when they started showing it afternoons on Fox Kids, it directly lined up with my school/work schedule and I got to watch it every day without the occasional missing an episode. It was my own little personal moment of zen that nobody but the march of time could take from me.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-42482442537630445952018-03-13T00:08:00.000-04:002018-03-13T00:08:32.963-04:00Beast Saga Toonami<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5tOkCAVsPkY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5tOkCAVsPkY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />Adding to my earlier post, there was at least this English promo for Beast Saga for Toonami produced and I believe aired in Japan. Man, I can dream of a world where Beast Saga was sitting on my DVR every Saturday night.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-85585625255258242422018-03-12T22:39:00.000-04:002018-03-12T22:39:33.101-04:00Beast Saga 3DS game promotional video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BKYiCJORY08/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKYiCJORY08?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />I've noted here before that I wish that Beast Saga would have made over to the US in some form. Admittedly because I'm a Battle Beasts fan, but I can't help to think it would have been a hit here. Not to mention, I would love to play this game. It looks pretty darn fun. I could see now a pre-order exclusive with some cool alternate colored figure. Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-48523675954415651922018-03-12T20:53:00.000-04:002018-03-12T20:53:53.417-04:00Victory Saber commercial <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hlzG9SdyGt8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hlzG9SdyGt8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />I've made my point time and time again about loving the tiny tokusatsu productions in Japanese toy commercials, but this one really uses that production to sell the idea of these two combining. Victory Leo is just running like it's cat crazy time there with all that dramatic lightening. I really appreciate the time taken to animate his legs just going.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-23984494414145357912018-03-12T19:15:00.000-04:002018-03-12T19:15:02.935-04:00Super Mid-Season Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lVJ8NnFtXYE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lVJ8NnFtXYE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br />This weekend will bring the mid season finale of Super Ninja Steel. Not that it will be a giant cliff hanger or anything, but it will be the last episode until fall. Hopefully the Galactic Ninjas will stick around longer as I'm quite enjoying them. I've definitely enjoyed the last few episodes using music from MMPR as it's definitely added something to the show.<br /><br />With Beast Morphers coming next year and frankly looking like the next big thing, it's putting a shadow on this show, which is super enjoyable, but could use some improvement.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-7308124254937523042018-03-10T00:04:00.001-05:002018-03-12T18:56:19.281-04:00Toylanta 2018 Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-aNwRV_jUc/Wp3hepIEUJI/AAAAAAAADeE/eQwK5V23h4gbiPuKyWr97ROQhn83NC4gwCLcBGAs/s1600/edc503a23a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="720" height="185" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-aNwRV_jUc/Wp3hepIEUJI/AAAAAAAADeE/eQwK5V23h4gbiPuKyWr97ROQhn83NC4gwCLcBGAs/s320/edc503a23a.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;*Note- I will be adding to this post throughout the weekend, so please check back as I'll be adding to it periodically, also please check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/roborobspringer/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for pics from the show*</div><br /><br /><b>Friday- </b>After sleeping off my work night, the wife and I headed to the con getting there around 7pm for the opening evening activities. Roaming around the dealer area as it was being set up and popping in and out of the lobby swap I spent most of the evening with my friends Shawn and Stuart as we chatted about various things. Tons of toys were out and of course I didn't stop by the ATM on the way, so mental note for the morning: bring some cash tomorrow!&nbsp; So far aside from some random G1 bots (and the mandatory Firecon purchase) I've spotted some great deals on kaiju vinyls and some great custom GIJOE that at least one must come home with me. Shawn gifted me with legion Hound and Dragonstorm, which was most awesome. We came home and ordered pizza on the way home for a great supper. Time for some sleep before a busy Saturday.<br /><br /><b>Saturday- </b>Saturday started off well enough, we got to the show around 10am and roamed the dealer areas a bit before a run to McDonald's for some lunch. I managed to snag some Beast Saga figures and some Maximal symbol pins. After a Big Mac, we headed to the panel area for the Space Toys panel and it was a treat. I initially thought it was going to be a roundabout of all space toys, but was mostly about lines from the 60's and 70's ran very well by some well spoken gentlemen. One speaker that I enjoyed talked about his time trying to get stores to carry Star Wars toys by way of letter writing campaign<br /><br />After the panel I met up with Dusty and we went over notes for our Transformers panel as we found Gabe, Mike and Alan. The Transformers panel went extremely well and I'm very happy with how it went. Afterwards we made a rush back to the dealers room where I caught up with Aaron and Tony where we talked about wrestling and the ROH ppv that took place Friday night. While in there I bought the remaining Beast Saga figures from the dealer I went to earlier. That had to be my favorite dealer, just a big set of tables with baskets full of various parts, pvcs, capsule toys, and random toys for great pricing. I plan to visit him again tomorrow to raid his bin of 1$ monsters.<br /><br />Parachute drop went well, though wasn't as populated as before. Papi's Toys had several paratroopers in use including a Pretender Vroom equiped with a parachute. Surprisingly made for a good drop participant. Here was where my only complaint for the weekend has been. The hotel restaurant was renovating and had a temporary set up in the lobby. Which during a regular day wouldn't have been an issue, during a con was a giant pain. Not to mention, the diners were constantly bombarded by thr parachute dropped toys, so I'm sure they didn't appreciate that. Due to the overall sea of people my wife and I was seated for a table, but never got served prompting us to leave without eating. Though that was probably for the best as word was it wasn't very good.<br /><br />I spent most of the day with Shawn, whom I shared a great conversation about Battle Beasts with at one point. Really glad he came, awesome dude to hang out with. Came home and ate the rest of the pizza from Friday night. One more day of the best damn toy show going.<br /><b>&nbsp; </b><br /><b>Sunday- </b>Sunday started off kind of rough as daylight savings time hit overnight throwing me off (really can we just stop doing this) as well as a headache I developed overnight. I took some medicine and fixed a simple oatmeal breakfast before heading out (the wife felt like staying home) stopping only for a can of Monster. It was rainy making for an interesting drive, but in all nothing too bad. Got in the dealers room around 10am and spent the next few hours with my friends Shawn and Stuart whom where heading out soon.<br /><br />After they left, actually I missed Stuart leaving somehow (sorry man), I poked around for a little bit. Almost bought a vintage Pirantis before deciding the Imaginext one I'm getting soon would suffice. I did visit my favorite dealer from the weekend and grab a Zenon pvc amd stop by the pin and sticker dealer to grab something for my wife. I decided to check out the custom cars one more time and head home (Sunday everyone is wrapping up and the show wraps up earlier).<br /><br />Ran into Aaron and Tony at the cars and we chatted for a bit, they were heading out too. As we were chatting Gabe was coming in to get a little extra filming done for his school project, so we came in with him. Spent a little longer farting around with the guys and got a free bottle of Billy Mitchell hot sauce from the Southern Friend Gaming Expo booth who had been selling arcade marquee art and various oddities. I was super close to grabbing the Altered Beast arcade cabinet instruction manual. We headed talked wrestling a bit before all heading out. The great toy show had come to an end for the year and time to return to normal life. The rainy weather got me stuck a little in some wreck traffic. Passing some of the cars moved off to the side of the show, I recognized a few folks I had seen at the show over the weekend. Man, that had to suck.<br /><br /><b>Overall- </b>Wow, what a great weekend. I've been having a pretty stressful time recently so this fun weekend was exactly what I needed. As fun as the Botlanta event was last year, it was a lot of work and it was a relief to return to the normal Toylanta. The RFC crew couldn't make the show, instead opting to gather for the weekend at Kilby's house for the weekend. Kilby sent me a portable recorder to make a podcast out of the Transformers panel. Unfortunately the recorder didn't show up until Saturday afternoon, so I regret not getting that recorded, though Gabe did film the bulk of it and offered to give Kilby the audio from that.<br /><br />The hotel's renovation efforts was mainly a pain for the lobby as that's a main meet up area during a con and it was reduced that area greatly, not to mention had to be unpleasant for diners while trying to eat. Outside of that I really enjoy the hotel and talks of the show eventually moving makes me hope if and when that happens they'll find as good as a space to host the show.<br /><br />As usual, I pretty much hibernate all day after the show, but also enjoyed some home cooking after a weekend of fast food. Absolutely had a blast and as always makes for great memories.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-4015190445353232372018-03-08T05:45:00.000-05:002018-03-08T05:45:47.095-05:00Little Things<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itNlKUwvkjI/WqEQ1BZYA4I/AAAAAAAADfA/LC82_kUoQaUuDS5fGJu2mJ3eVzVvy6-RQCLcBGAs/s1600/Red_Lion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1040" height="228" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itNlKUwvkjI/WqEQ1BZYA4I/AAAAAAAADfA/LC82_kUoQaUuDS5fGJu2mJ3eVzVvy6-RQCLcBGAs/s320/Red_Lion.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh potatoes, and molasses </td></tr></tbody></table><br />One thing I always appreciate in robot cartoons is that bit of life given to the bots in the animation. That sounds stupid, but bear with me. Be it Transformers, Voltron, Zoids, whatever, that little shifting around. Those little bits of personality that are extremely pronounced. In the live action movies, Bumblebee has a distinct personality in his movements. He's based on Marty McFly in that. Watch a clip or two and a clip of two of Back to the Future. See? The lions in Voltron don't just move like cats, they behave like cats. Look at that picture of the Red Lion up thar. In a cheaper show, he would just be jumping. But this is a quality cartoon, he's arched, his head is bowed, tail even curved. He looks like my cat pouncing on a toy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Personality matters.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-22060551085296287822018-03-07T22:18:00.000-05:002018-03-07T22:18:51.508-05:00The Zodiac Instrumental <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gRZwxzNM6Zs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRZwxzNM6Zs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't think I have to explain that I just mmmmiiiggghhhttt like Zone. Just might. Maybe a bit.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-74319318339305297652018-03-07T20:14:00.000-05:002018-03-07T20:14:32.914-05:00Reset the Clock<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="ja">／<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%A1%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%8C%E3%82%8C%E3%82%A4%E3%82%A7%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#立ち上がれイェーガー</a>❗️<br />＼<br /><br />⚠️緊 急 指 令⚠️<br />次世代型イェーガー起動させて、超ド級合体KAIJUを撃破せよ！<br /><br />フォロー&amp;RTでイェーガー起動💥成功すれば報酬としてイェーガーフィギュアほか豪華賞品を贈呈🎁結果はすぐに返ってくるぞ👍<br />詳細は⇒<a href="https://t.co/n6q5ssVJL8">https://t.co/n6q5ssVJL8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%83%91%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%A0?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#パシリム</a> <a href="https://t.co/aOzIQdVc5L">pic.twitter.com/aOzIQdVc5L</a></div>— パシフィック・リム 公式 (@PacificRim_JP) <a href="https://twitter.com/PacificRim_JP/status/971539463699509248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Damn, I'm so excited for this. </div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-25174477679763553942018-03-07T18:33:00.001-05:002018-03-07T18:33:43.032-05:00Incase you didn't knowI want to thank each and every one of you who reads Zone Base. I'm doing this completely on my own while working over 60 hours a week. I know I don't always have the most things said, I know I don't have breaking news or in depth reviews or anything. This is me 100% enjoying the things I'm into without any hitches and it's extremely flattering to see so many of you want to see what I have to say, no matter how silly it is. I won't lie, I'm actually feeling really down right now and seeing that those of you out there have been reading made me smile. Thank you.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-64376942718792008212018-03-07T04:49:00.000-05:002018-03-07T04:49:17.275-05:00Two reasons you should buy a Blaze Megazord<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GegoXLP8FTI/Wp-08rRnnZI/AAAAAAAADew/8MKCOnF7SysdTQYqeva8TgjWw7nqRUR7gCLcBGAs/s1600/SSN-Gekiatsudaioh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GegoXLP8FTI/Wp-08rRnnZI/AAAAAAAADew/8MKCOnF7SysdTQYqeva8TgjWw7nqRUR7gCLcBGAs/s400/SSN-Gekiatsudaioh.png" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. His left arm is a fish. He's going to punch you with a fish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. His chest shoots ninjas.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-8529109306996361512018-03-07T04:39:00.000-05:002018-03-07T04:49:57.265-05:00Ya'll folks like BBQ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXmxTcv84SA/Wp-y2-tagcI/AAAAAAAADek/85RUq4KYwIg1GYIC4zFJEgOJ8x2vz5LzwCLcBGAs/s1600/SSN-Bison_King.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXmxTcv84SA/Wp-y2-tagcI/AAAAAAAADek/85RUq4KYwIg1GYIC4zFJEgOJ8x2vz5LzwCLcBGAs/s400/SSN-Bison_King.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've been very busy today, so here is a picture of the Bullrider Megazord for no reason.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't need no stinking reason to post it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a cowboy.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-84008311182027656772018-03-06T19:02:00.000-05:002018-03-06T19:02:44.648-05:00Centaurus Phoenix Megazord <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pWX26hJ-cU4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWX26hJ-cU4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sorely tempted to rock out a bunch of Mystic Force swag the next time I go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. </div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559301172691870143.post-73054550037503863902018-03-05T23:52:00.001-05:002018-03-07T20:14:52.639-05:00War Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VcM4SkKw8c4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VcM4SkKw8c4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Just a few more weeks.</div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03211841193000823589noreply@blogger.com0